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Follow the Race, Find the Real...

Discover the real destinations behind the hit show

Celebrating 25 Years of tour excellence

The BBC's Race Across the World is back - and this series, the teams are travelling through some of the most extraordinary destinations on earth. From Italy and Greece, east through the bazaars of Turkey and the mountain passes of Georgia, deep into the endless steppe of Kazakhstan, and along the ancient Silk Road - through the turquoise-tiled squares of Uzbekistan and the wild peaks of Kyrgyzstan - all the way to the vast, humbling wilderness of Mongolia.

For over a thousand years, the Silk Road carried not just silk and spice, but ideas, religion, art and culture across some of the most dramatic terrain on earth. The racers are sprinting through it. If you're inspired by what you see, you can do it properly.

We've been specialists in Asia travel for over 25 years. Every tour is fully escorted, with a dedicated expert guide, so you can travel with confidence and curiosity - no logistics, no guesswork, just the experience.

If you'd like to recreate the whole epic Silk Route journey from Istanbul to Mongolia, take a look at our extraordinary Silk Road Rover Holiday

Please note Wendy Wu Tours are not affiliated with the BBC or the Race Across the World programme...We're just HUUUUGE Fans!

The Route

Free Virtual Travel Show

Join us on Wednesday 27 May at 3pm (GMT) for an exclusive online event following in the footsteps of this year’s racers along the Silk Road.

We'll be joined by past RATW contestants and Silk Road experts for a wrap up party to remember.

Learn more about this little explored region and learn how to discover the magic for yourself.

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Weeks 7 & 8: Mongolia

This week, the Race Across the World starts from Ulgii. Tucked into the far western corner of Mongolia, close to the borders of Russia and China, it's one of the most remote towns on earth - and one of the most quietly extraordinary.

This is Kazakh Mongolia, where a different culture, a different language and a different way of life have survived largely untouched by the outside world. Here, families still hunt with golden eagles, the ancient art passed from parent to child across generations.

From Ulgii the route pushes east - across one of the emptiest landscapes on the planet, through steppe that stretches further than seems reasonable, past terrain that has barely changed in centuries. Mongolia has over 20,000 kilometres of roads, and only around 1,600 of them are paved.

At the end of it lies Kharkhorin. It doesn't look like a capital. But eight hundred years ago, this quiet valley in central Mongolia was the centre of the largest empire the world has ever seen. Genghis Khan built it from nothing. His successors filled it with traders, diplomats, scholars and envoys from every corner of the known world - silk from China, furs from Russia, messengers from the Pope. For a brief, extraordinary moment, all roads led here. Then the empire fractured, the city emptied, and the steppe took most of it back.

Today, Erdene Zuu Monastery stands on its ruins - the oldest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, its white walls and traditional stupas rising from the open valley floor. The Orkhon River moves quietly past. The UNESCO-listed valley stretches out in every direction, ancient and unhurried, carrying the weight of everything that happened here without making a fuss about it.

The racers will pass through in days. Mongolia has a way of making you wish you'd stayed longer.

Our Best of Mongolia tour takes 15 days to cross this country properly - from the Gobi Desert to the Flaming Cliffs, the singing sands of Khongoryn Els and the wild horses of Khustai National Park, with Kharkhorin and the Orkhon Valley at its heart. Fully escorted, fully inclusive, and unhurried enough to actually feel it.

Group Tour

Best of Mongolia

8 Reviews

Stargaze in the Gobi Desert Discover Bayanzag's 'Flaming Cliffs’ Walk around Turtle Rock Visit Orkhon Waterfall Spot the famous Takhi Horses Join a mini-Naadam Festival

Including: All international flights, hotels, meals, transport, experiences, guides and visas

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Place to visit: UK - Ulaanbaatar (2N) - Terelj (1N) - Dalanzadgad (1N) - Khongoryn Els (2N) - Bayanzag (1N) - Ongii - Grasslands (2N) - Kharkhorin (2N) - Khustai National Park (1N) - Ulaanbaatar (1N) - UK

15 days from £5490pp

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Week 6: Uzbekistan

The contestants left Zaamin National Park and pushed on toward Almaty. But somewhere between those two checkpoints, they passed through a country that has been stopping travellers in their tracks for two thousand years.

Uzbekistan is Silk Road country. The cities here - Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva - were not just stops along an ancient trade route. They were the route. The places where East met West, where the greatest conquerors in history arrived and were humbled by what they found. Where a 12th-century minaret survived Genghis Khan's invasion because even he couldn't bring himself to destroy it. Where Alexander the Great, standing in Samarkand for the first time, reportedly said he had heard it was beautiful - but never imagined it could be this beautiful.

Our brand new Silk Road Uncovered: Uzbekistan & Kyrgyzstan tour was built for people who want to understand all of that properly.

21 days that begin in the fabled cities of Uzbekistan and continue into the mountain heartland of Kyrgyzstan - where the landscape shifts from turquoise-tiled madrassahs and desert crossings to alpine lakes, eagle hunters, yurt camps on the shores of Issyk Kul, and nomadic traditions that have survived largely unchanged for centuries.

21 days. Two countries. One of the world's great journeys.

Silk Road Uncovered: Uzbekistan & Kyrgyzstan

New Tour Group Tour

Silk Road Uncovered: Uzbekistan & Kyrgyzstan

Discover Soviet-era Tashkent UNESCO walled town of Khiva Silk Road treasures of Bukhara and Samarkand Colourful bazaars Glorious Jeti-Oguz Valley Yurts on Lake Issyk Kul

Including: All international flights, hotels, meals, transport, experiences, guides and visas

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Place to visit: UK - Tashkent (2N+1N) - Khiva (2N) - Bukhara (2N) - Samarkand (3N) - Bishkek (2N+1N) - Cholpon-Ata (1N) - Karakol (2N) - Tamga (2N) - Chon-Kemin (1N) - UK

21 days from £5990pp

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Week 5: Kazakhstan

Turkey had its empires. Georgia had its mountains. Kazakhstan has something else entirely.

This is Central Asia at its most elemental - vast steppe landscapes, snow-capped peaks rising from the Tian Shan Mountains, and a canyon so dramatic it stops people mid-sentence. Charyn Canyon stretches 150 kilometres through the desert, dropping 300 metres to a river valley sculpted over three million years. It is one of the most extraordinary natural sights on the race route so far, and one that most travellers outside the region have never heard of.

Kazakhstan is a country that rewards those who venture beyond the expected. Almaty - the former capital, still the country's cultural heart - sits beneath permanent snow-capped peaks and carries the layered character of a city that has been Soviet outpost, trading hub, and modern metropolis all within living memory.

The race is passing through this week. But Kazakhstan is really just the beginning.

Our Journey Through Central Asia tour spends 27 days crossing five of the most extraordinary and least-visited countries on earth - from the alpine valleys and eagle hunters of Kyrgyzstan and the ancient Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan to the marble boulevards of Ashgabat and the Darvaza Crater, a burning gas crater in the Karakum Desert that has blazed continuously since 1971 and is known simply as the Gates of Hell.

This is a Go Beyond tour at Physical Level 4 - built for travellers with a genuine spirit of adventure, a good level of fitness, and a willingness to be surprised. Yurt camps, remote mountain passes, border crossings on foot, dinners under desert stars. The kind of journey that changes how you think about the world.

Group Tour

Journey through Central Asia

Stroll in Ala Archa National Park Relax on Lake Issyk Kul Witness fascinating Eagle Hunting Browse the colourful bazaars Explore the exotic Khiva Discover ancient Samarkand See Darvaza's Flaming Crater

Including: All international flights, hotels, transport, experiences, guides, visas and most meals

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Place to visit: Bishkek – Chon Kemin – Bokonbayevo – Karakol – Almaty – Dushanbe – Khujand – Tashkent – Samarkand – Bukhara – Khiva – Mary - Ashgabat

27 days from £8690pp

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Week 4: Georgia

The race moves on to Georgia - and if Turkey felt like a collision of worlds, Georgia feels like a world entirely its own.

Tucked between the Greater Caucasus and the Black Sea, this is a country that rewards the curious. Ancient monasteries perched on impossible gorges. Medieval tower villages surviving in Europe's highest inhabited settlements. A winemaking tradition that stretches back thousands of years - Georgia is, by most accounts, the true birthplace of wine. Food that people travel specifically to eat.

The contestants will have glimpsed it in passing. There's another way to do it.

Our Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan tour spends 23 days going deep into the Caucasus - crossing three countries at the point where Europe meets Asia, taking in everything from Azerbaijan's burning hillsides and Baku's Silk Road old city to Armenia, the world's first Christian nation, whose ancient faith is carved into the landscape at every turn. Along the way, the lush mountain town of Dilijan - known as the Armenian Switzerland - offers a moment to breathe before the journey continues to the extraordinary tower villages of Upper Svaneti.

This is a Go Beyond tour, built for travellers who want more than the headline sights. Expect home cooking with local families, a masterclass in Georgia's famous cheese bread, a 4x4 journey to one of the most remote villages in Europe, and moments that no itinerary can quite prepare you for.

Group Tour

Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan

13 Reviews

Wander Baku's Old City Visit Yanardag Fire Mountain Wine Tasting in Georgia Explore Geghard Monastery See the cave city of Vardzia Tbilisi's atmospheric Old Town

Including: All international flights, hotels, transport, experiences, guides, visas and most meals

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Place to visit: Baku - Gabala - Sheki - Telavi - Tbilisi - Dilijan - Goris - Yerevan - Gyumri - Akhaltsikhe - Kutaisi - Mestia - Kutaisi - Gudauri - Tbilisi

23 days from £5490pp

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Week 3: Turkey

Last week, the Race Across the World contestants reached Istanbul - one of the great cities of human history - checking in at one of its iconic minarets, the slender towers that have defined the city's skyline for centuries.

It's a fitting checkpoint. Istanbul has always been a place of arrival. Straddling the Bosporus where Europe meets Asia, it has drawn travellers, traders and conquerors for two millennia. Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul - the names have changed, but the city's hold on the imagination never has.

Turkey, though, is far more than its greatest city. Beyond Istanbul lie the ancient streets of Ephesus, the calcium-white terraces of Pamukkale, the haunting battlefields of Gallipoli, and the extraordinary volcanic landscapes of Cappadocia - a region so otherworldly it barely seems real.

If the race has stirred something in you, we have a tour that takes you deeper.

Treasures of Turkey is a 15-day classic tour that follows the country's greatest sites from Istanbul to Cappadocia, with expert guides, all meals included, and access to places most visitors never reach - including the rarely visited ancient city of Magnesia, where our local partner sponsors the ongoing excavations.

Turkey rewards those who take the time to understand it. This tour is built for exactly that.

Group Tour

Treasures of Turkey

55 Reviews

Visit Istanbul's iconic landmarks Pay your respects at Gallipoli Discover ancient Ephesus Exclusive tour of Magnesia See a Whirling Dervish ceremony Visit mythical Cappadocia

Including: All international flights, hotels, meals, transport, experiences, guides and visas

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Place to visit: Istanbul - Gallipoli - Canakkale - Pergamon - Ephesus - Selcuk - Pamukkale - Antalya - Aspendos - Konya - Cappadocia - Istanbul

15 days from £3990pp

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Week 8 - Wednesday 11 June, 2025

The final leg of Race Across the World saw the last three teams race through the heart of southern India — from the golden sands of Goa to the sacred city of Madurai. As they navigated long train rides, soaring temperatures, and spiritual landmarks, emotions ran high and every second counted.

From temple towns to tropical scenery, it was a dramatic end to an epic journey — with one team crowned the winner against a backdrop of colour, culture and chaos.

Want to experience the south without the stopwatch? Our Kerala & Southern Highlights tour takes you on a richly rewarding journey through the same region — from Chennai to Kochi, via Madurai, hill stations, backwaters and beaches.

Group Tour

Kerala and the Southern Highlights

44 Reviews

Bangalore city tour Board the Narrow Gauge Railway Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Watch a Kathakali dance performance Kerala Backwaters

Including: All international flights, hotels, meals, transport, experiences, guides and visas

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Place to visit: UK - Chennai (2N) - Mamallapuram (1N) - Bangalore (1N) - Mysore (1N) - Ooty (2N) - Coimbatore (1N) - Munnar (1N) - Thekkady (2N) - Kochi (2N) - Kerala Houseboat (1N) - Kovalam (2N) - Trivandrum - UK

18 days from £3690pp

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Save up to £350pp

Race Across Asia Special

Inspired by the show? Why not explore Asia your own way — no stress, no rush. Book one of our award-winning tours through China or India and take advantage of our special show offer:

- Partner flies free in 2025 & 2026
- Solo? Get 50% off your flights
- Save up to ￡350pp

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Free Virtual Travel Show

Join our experts on Wednesday 11th June at 3pm for Free Virtual Travel Show as we take you on a fascinating virtual journey following in the footsteps of this year's racers, from the iconic Great Wall of China to southern India!

Plus, we'll be joined by Race Across the World series 4 winner Alfie and series 1 winners Tony & Elaine to get all the behind the scenes gossip from the show!

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Week 7 - Wednesday 4 June, 2025

Sasan Gir → Panaji

This week the remaining teams embarked on a 1,200-kilometre journey from the wildlife-rich region of Sasan Gir in Gujarat to the coastal city of Panaji in Goa. The route presented strategic choices: either traverse the bustling metropolis of Mumbai with its extensive transport networks or opt for a more direct inland path. Brothers Brian and Melvyn chose the latter, passing through Nashik, but this decision led to delays, placing them fourth at the checkpoint . Caroline and Tom capitalized on Mumbai's connectivity, arriving first, while Elizabeth and Letitia secured second place. Fin and Sioned faced challenges but managed to reach the checkpoint, keeping their hopes alive for the final leg.

Inspired by their journey? Experience India's diverse landscapes and vibrant cultures on our India by Rail tour. Traverse from Delhi to Goa, exploring historic cities, scenic routes, and the rich tapestry of Indian life—all without the race-day stress.

New Tour Group Tour

India by Rail

12 Reviews

Rickshaw ride through Old Delhi Shimla Toy train Admire the Taj Mahal Jaipur, the 'Pink City' Varanasi River Ganges

A Wendy Wu Rail Collection Tour

Including: All international flights, hotels, meals, transport, experiences, guides and visas

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Place to visit: Delhi (1N) - Amritsar (2N) - Shimla (2N) - Delhi (1N) - Jaipur (2N) - Agra (2N) - Varanasi (2N) - Delhi (1N)

15 days from £4090pp

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Week 6 - Wednesday 28 May, 2025

McLeod Ganj → Sasan Gir

In this leg, the four remaining teams journeyed 1,900km south from the serene hill town of McLeod Ganj to Sasan Gir in Gujarat, home to the last remaining Asiatic lions. The route offered a choice: traverse Rajasthan's vibrant cities—Jodhpur, Jaipur, and Udaipur—or venture west into the expansive Great Indian Desert.

Brothers Brian and Melvyn took the desert path, arriving first at the checkpoint. Mother-son duo Caroline and Tom opted for the city route, securing second place. Sisters Elizabeth and Letitia also chose the city path, finishing third. Young couple Fin and Sioned faced challenges and arrived last, putting them at risk of elimination.

Inspired by their journey? Our Rajasthan Panorama tour lets you experience the same vibrant cities and landscapes, from Delhi to Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Jaipur. Explore the rich culture and history of Rajasthan without the race.

Group Tour

Rajasthan Panorama

26 Reviews

Rickshaw ride through Bikaner Jaisalmer, the 'Golden City' Thar Desert Safari Cruise on Lake Pichola Ranthambore National Park

Including: All international flights, hotels, meals, transport, experiences, guides and visas

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Place to visit: UK - Gurgaon (1N) - Alsisar (1N) - Gajner (1N) - Jaisalmer (2N) - Manvar (1N) - Jodhpur (2N) - Udaipur (2N) - Deogarh (1N) - Pushkar (1N) - Jaipur (2N) - Ranthambore (2N) - Agra (2N) - Delhi (2N) - UK

22 days from £3490pp

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Week 5 - Wednesday 21 May, 2025

We were on the edge of our seats for another thrilling episode of Race Across the World this week as the teams hotfooted it from India’s spiritual heart Varanasi, to McLeod Ganj set in the stunning Himalayan foothills. For the first time in the race, Caroline and Tom were the first to reach the checkpoint having made use of Delhi’s huge transport network. After an invigorating yoga session in Rishikesh, Brian and Melvyn reached the checkpoint in second place, and sisters Elizabeth and Letitia came in third, but not before being wowed by the incredible sight of the Taj Mahal.

Want to see some of those amazing sights for yourself? Our Northern India Discovery tour takes in the highlights of India, including the Taj Mahal, and ventures into the beautiful hill stations of Shimla and Dharamsala in the far north, so you can experience both sides of India in one unforgettable trip! Race Across the World Tours | Wendy Wu Tours Join the Wu Crew weekly on Thursday afternoons for the gossipy lowdown on the previous night's Race Across the World episode and find out how to recreate the racers' routes for yourself.

Group Tour

Northern India Discovery

14 Reviews

Rickshaw ride through Old Delhi Turban-tying experience Visit the Golden Temple Shimla Toy Train Agra Fort Admire the Taj Mahal

Including: All international flights, hotels, meals, transport, experiences, guides and visas

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Place to visit: UK - Delhi (2N) - Amritsar (2N) - Dharamsala (3N) - Shimla (2N) - Delhi (1N) - Agra (1N) - Jaipur (2N) - Delhi (1N) - UK

16 days from £3690pp

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Week 4 - Wednesday 14 May, 2025

This week we saw the racers say goodbye to China as they departed the Tibetan city of Shangri-La to continue their adventure. Of course, the mighty Himalayas dominates the border between China and Nepal, so the race was paused momentarily to allow the contestants to fly to Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, before continuing on to Varanasi in India.

Brothers Brian and Melvyn were the first to reach the checkpoint on the bustling ghats of Varanasi, and even managed to squeeze in a thrilling zipline adventure in Nepal along the way. Fin and Sioned opted for a safari in Nepal spotting some of the country’s wonderful wildlife, whilst Caroline and Tom sped across the border to reach the checkpoint in second place.

Inspired by their journey? Our Himalayan Kingdoms tour lets you experience some of those incredible mountainous landscapes for yourself. If you want to extend your adventure even further, why not add our 6-day Nepal extension to this fantastic tour.

Group Tour

Himalayan Kingdoms

14 Reviews

Darjeeling Toy Train Visit the spectacular Khecheopalri Lake Gorumara Wildlife Sanctuary Tiger's Nest Monastery

Including: All international flights, hotels, transport, experiences, guides, visas and most meals

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Place to visit: UK - Kolkata (2N) - Siliguri (1N) - Darjeeling (2N) - Pelling (2N) - Gangtok (2N) - Kalimpong (2N) - Gorumara (1N) - Phuentsholing (1N) - Thimphu (2N) - Gangtey (2N) - Punakha (2N) - Paro (2N)- Kolkata (1N) - UK

24 days from £7490pp

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Week 3 - Wednesday 7 May, 2025

The race intensified this week as teams departed the tropical shores of Sanya, embarking on a challenging journey to the high-altitude city of Shangri-La in Yunnan province. This leg tested their endurance with steep climbs, remote terrains, and the looming threat of elimination.

Brothers Brian & Melvyn showcased resilience, becoming the first team to reach the third checkpoint. Sisters Elizabeth & Letitia maintained their strong performance, arriving shortly after. Fin & Sioned demonstrated determination despite the grueling conditions. Unfortunately, ex-couple Yin & Gaz, hindered by previous delays, couldn't recover in time and were the first team eliminated from the race.

Inspired by their journey? Our Ultimate China tour offers a comprehensive 27-day exploration of China's most iconic destinations, from the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors to the serene landscapes of Yangshuo and the spiritual heights of Lhasa. Experience the adventure without the race.

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Ultimate China

22 Reviews

Lhasa's Potala Palace Visit a Tibetan Family Home See mystical Zhangjiajie See the Baisha Frescoes Tiger Leaping Gorge Chengdu's Pandas

Including: All international flights, hotels, meals, transport, experiences, guides and visas

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Place to visit: UK - Beijing (3N) - Xian (2N) - Guilin (1N) - Yangshuo (2N) - Kunming (2N) - Lijiang (2N) - Zhongdian (2N) - Lhasa (3N) - Chengdu (1N) - Yangtze River Cruise (3N) - Zhangjiajie (2N) - Shanghai (2N) – UK

27 days from £6290pp

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Week 2 - Wednesday 30 April, 2025

Huangling → Sanya

The race heated up this week as teams left the misty hills of Huangling and journeyed 1,200km south to tropical Sanya. But paradise came at a cost: typhoon chaos, missed ferries, and mounting pressure.

Elizabeth & Letitia took the lead again after a scenic detour through Guilin, while Brian & Melvyn stormed into second following a stay in Fujian’s tulou. Fin & Sioned held on through emotional lows, but Caroline & Tom and Gaz & Yin were left stranded as the storm hit.

If this leg left you longing to follow in their footsteps — minus the race and the typhoon — our China by Rail tour is the perfect way to explore this epic country. Travel by high-speed train from Beijing to Guilin, Yangshuo, Chengdu and Xi’an, discovering China’s landscapes, landmarks and local life in comfort.

Group Tour

China by Rail

14 Reviews

Xian's Terracotta Warriors Li River Cruise Overnight on Yellow Mountain Lijiang's Old Quarter Tunxi Ancient Town Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

A Wendy Wu Rail Collection Tour

Including: All international flights, hotels, meals, transport, experiences, guides and visas

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Place to visit: UK – Shanghai (2N) – Mt. Huang (1N) – Tunxi (1N) – Changsha (1N) – Guilin (2N) – Yangshuo (1N) – Kunming (2N) – Dali (2N) - Lijiang (2N) – Chengdu (1N) – Xian (2N) – Beijing (3N) – UK

22 days from £5440pp

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Week 1 – Wednesday 23 April, 2025

Huanghuacheng → Huangling

Having checked in at the Great Wall's Huanghuacheng section, the race began in earnest with teams setting off south across China to the ancient cliffside village of Huangling, nestled in Jiangxi Province. Over the first leg, racers navigated vast distances, historic cities, and cultural contrasts—from ancient alleyways in Beijing to bullet train journeys through the heart of the country. Sisters Elizabeth & Letitia capitalised on language skills to arrive first, while others wrestled with logistics, worked side gigs, and overcame emotional hurdles.

If their journey sparked your curiosity, our Wonders of China tour offers a deeper dive into the same rich landscapes and cultural treasures. Over 16 days, you'll trace a route from Beijing to Shanghai, walk the Great Wall, stand before the Terracotta Warriors, and cruise through the dramatic scenery of the Yangtze River—experiencing China’s most iconic wonders with expert guides every step of the way.

Group Tour

Wonders of China

454 Reviews

Great Wall of China Xian's Terracotta Warriors Yangtze River Cruise Li River and Yangshuo Bustling Shanghai Huangpu River Cruise

Including: All international flights, hotels, meals, transport, experiences, guides and visas

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Place to visit: UK - Beijing (3N) - Xian (2N) - Yangtze River Cruise (4N) - Guilin (2N) - Yangshuo (1N) - Shanghai (2N) - UK

16 days from £4040pp

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Week 8 – Jakarta to Lombok, Indonesia: Thursday 29th May 3pm

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Best of Borneo

26 Reviews

Stroll charming Kuching Spot Orangutans Explore Bako National Park Meet an Iban tribe Hike the Kinabalu Park trails Cruise the Kinabatangan River

Including: All international flights, hotels, transport, experiences, guides, visas and most meals

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Place to visit: Kuching (4N) - Sri Aman (2N) - Kota Kinabalu (4N) - Sepilok (1N) - Kinabatangan River (2N)

16 days from £4,890pp

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Jakarta to Lombok, Indonesia

After racing nearly 14,000 kilometres over seven weeks and through seven countries, it’s all come down to 12 minutes. That’s all that separates the first two teams as they embark on the final leg of their Race Across the World from Jakarta to Lombok, where a prize of £20,000 awaits the winning team.

Check in with our panel as they discuss the nail biting final!

Best of Borneo

Not quite Sumatra, but just as lush and remote - and also one of the best places to see orangtuan in the wild. And there's no need to worry about how you're getting around on a Wendy Wu tour! An island of unchartered jungles and tribal culture, a Borneo holiday exudes adventure! Discover 'headhunter' heritage, see a wealth of wildlife, delve deep into nature and meet the beautiful orangutans of Sabah and Sarawak on this incredible itinerary.

Past Episodes

Week 1 - Japan

Week one saw the teams racing from Sapporo, the capital city of Hokkaido, over 1,600 kilometers south to the ancient capital of Nara. with multiple routes to choose from, a huge language barrier to oevrcome and travelling through one of the most expensive countries in the world, this week really tested the teams skills, ingenuity and determination.

Week 2 - Japan to South Korea

Week two saw the teams crossing their first border into South Korea and travelling the length of the country to reach the second checkpoint in the seaside town of Sokcho. In the Wu Crew Jimmy is not happy with someone's queue jumping and Jen thinks Brydie and Sharon need to get a move on!

Week 3 - Vietnam to Cambodia

The teams enter Southeast Asia for the first time, starting the third leg from the chaotic Vietnamese capital Hanoi. They must race over 2,000km through Vietnam and into the Kingdom of Cambodia to reach one of the fastest-developing cities in South East Asia – Phnom Penh.

Week 4 - Cambodia to Thailand

This week the teams are starting from the third checkpoint in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. From here they must travel 1,400 kilometres through Thailand, one of the most visited countries in the world, to the Shan Highland that straddle the Thai-Myanmar border, where the fourth checkpoint is situated in the sleepy mountain town of Mae Sariang.

Week 5 - Mae Sariang to Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

On this week's vert scenic episode, our racers navigated the full length of Thailand to reach the next checkpoint - Koh Phi Phi - immortalised by the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Beach. Our panel discuss the challenge of getting to Bangkok with very limited transport - and their thoughts on how the various teams tackled this. They also discuss their favourite Thailand highlights that were missed, trains travel in Southeast Asia - and of course their new (and old!) hot favourites to win!

Week 6 – Koh Phi Phi, Thailand to Bukittinggi, Indonesia

After enjoying the tranquillity of the paradise islands of Koh Phi Phi, the teams leave Thailand behind to embark on a 2,000km journey across Malaysia to the rarely visited Indonesian island of Sumatra, where the sixth checkpoint lies in the mountain-fringed city of Bukittinggi. Our intrepid duos decide between island hopping via Koh Lipe or returning to the Thai mainland to make the most of cheap and frequent transport links down the Malay peninsula.

Week 7 – Bukittinggi to Jakarta, Indonesia

The populous, rarely-visited Indonesian island of Sumatra remains one of the wildest and most unexplored places on Earth, covered with dense rainforest sheltering rare and endangered wildlife. Travelling through, our teams faced their greatest challenges yet with an ad-hoc transport system, limited accommodation options and virtually zero English spoken. How did they fare? Find our what our panel thought of their efforts!

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Stroll through Nara Park Hiroshima & Miyajima Fushimi Inari Shrine Washi paper making Jigokudani Monkey Park Mount Fuji

Including: All international flights, hotels, meals, transport, experiences, guides and visas

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Place to visit: UK - Osaka (2N) - Nara - Himeji - Hiroshima (2N) - Kyoto (2N) - Kanazawa (1N) - Shirakawago - Takayama (2N) - Matsumoto - Nagano (2N) - Yudanaka - Mt Fuji (1N) - Tokyo (3N) - UK

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Including: All international flights, hotels, meals, transport, experiences, guides and visas

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Place to visit: UK - Seoul (2N) - Damyang - Gwangju (1N) - Boseong - Suncheon - Yeosu (1N) - Busan (1N) - Gyeongju (2N) - Mt Seorak (2N) - Gagneung - Seoul (2N) - UK

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Place to visit: Siem Reap (3N) - Phnom Penh (1N) - Saigon (3N) - Hoi An (2N) - Hue (2N) - Hanoi (3N) - Halong Bay (1N)

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Best of Bangkok Chiang Rai's White Temple Hill Tribes in Mae Kampong River Kwai & Death Railway Cruise the mighty Mekong Elephants in Chiang Mai

Including: All international flights, hotels, meals, transport, experiences, guides and visas

Thailand Highlights✕ close

Place to visit: Bangkok (2N) - Kanchanaburi (2N) - Chiang Rai (3N) - Hmong Hilltribe Lodge (1N) - Chiang Mai (3N)

13 days from £3,590pp

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Group Tour
Singapore to Bangkok by Rail

19 Reviews

Gaze up at Singapore's Sky Garden Observe elephants in Phuket Discover Malaysia's Misty Forest Explore Kuala Lumpur Spectacular Phang Nga Bay Ride the Death Railway in Thailand

A Wendy Wu Rail Collection Tour

Including: All international flights, hotels, meals, transport, experiences, guides and visas

Singapore to Bangkok by Rail✕ close

Place to visit: Singapore (2N) – Malacca (1N) – Kuala Lumpur (2N) – Cameron Highlands (1N) – Penang (2N) – Phuket (3N) – Surat Thani (1N) – Hua Hin (1N) – Bangkok (3N)

18 days from £6,590pp

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